5 things to do around Salem June 15-18

After some rainy days, the weather is supposed to be nicer, at least drier, this weekend. Good thing, too. Because there are some cool outdoor things happening:

Local music at Capitol

Wild Ire performs at the State Capitol State Park. They will play at 5 p.m. June 15 at CCTV and 10 ...more

Wild Ire performs at the State Capitol State Park. They will play at 5 p.m. June 15 at CCTV and 10 p.m. June 17 at IKE Box during Cherry City Music Festival June 15-17. The CCTV concert is free. The IKE Box concert costs $5.

Special to the Statesman Journal

Local and regional bands will take over Salem June 15-17 when the mostly free Cherry City Music Festival returns. Fifty-two bands including Wild Ire, M69's, The Sexbots and Phamous Phaces will play eight venues, from The Space Concert Club and Boon's to CCTV and Shotski's Woodfired Pizza. For a list of concerts, see the story.

But perhaps the star of the festival is the pumped-up free outdoor concerts around the Capitol. There will be four stages with 14 bands, food trucks, a climbing wall and an exhibit from The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum in Portland. The free event is family friendly.

When: 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 17

Where: Willson Park to the west of the Capitol and across the street in the Capitol Mall

Take Dad out

The event features 60 breweries, an artisan market and a fun run. Friday and Saturday evening will have more of a party atmosphere. The Sunday event lineup is designed to be family friendly with the fun run, kids games and crafts, plus live music.

When: 3 to 11 p.m. June 16 (21 and older only), noon to 11 p.m. June 17 (21 and older after 5 p.m.) and noon to 6 p.m. June 18

Where: The Oregon Garden, 879 W Main St., Silverton

How much: $15 per person for advance single-day tickets, $5 per minor or designated driver for single-day tickets, $30 for advance three-day passes (21 and older). Tickets at the door are $20 for single-day tickets and $35 for three-day tickets.

Explore history, the arts and Bush’s Pasture Park with family-friendly, hands-on activities during the free Exploration Day 1 to 5 p.m. June 17 at Bush’s Pasture Park. The event will include discounted tours of the Bush House Museum at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

Celebrate the Earth at Riverfront

Check out yoga, vegan food, rock climbing, a kids area and craft beer at EcoFest, a Straub Environmental Center event at Riverfront Park.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 17, with yoga at 10:45 a.m.; Mad Science, an entertaining demonstration exploring how electricity works, at 12:30 or 2:30 p.m.; stroll with a Salem Park Ranger to spot local wildlife at 1 p.m.; and live music at 4 p.m.